Mozambique: IPI Denounces Crackdown on Journalists Covering Post‑Election Protests

December 3, 2024 – Mozambique –

Following Mozambique’s disputed October 9, 2024, general election, widespread protests erupted nationwide over alleged fraud and ballot tampering by the ruling FRELIMO party. Journalists reporting on the unrest—especially in Maputo and other urban centers—faced targeted harassment, unlawful detention, physical assaults, and equipment confiscation.

The International Press Institute (IPI), alongside press freedom organizations, condemned the illegal arrests and detention of media professionals during these protests. IPI stated that journalists were often blocked from covering events, detained without cause, assaulted by police or masked individuals, and had their cameras and phones seized or damaged. It called on Mozambican authorities to immediately cease harassment, ensure accountability for perpetrators, protect journalists, and maintain internet and social media access during protests.

The crackdown formed part of a broader security response that included mass arrests of protesters and bystanders—reportedly capturing thousands—and the excessive use of force by police and military, which led to numerous deaths and injuries, including children, across 11 provincial capitals.

Human Rights Watch reported pre‑election abuses such as threats, prior detention of journalists, and denial of access to polling stations—signs of a deteriorating environment for the press and civil society. Amnesty International filed complaints about unlawful shootings, arbitrary night-time arrests, and internet shutdowns during peak protest windows, severely hindering both media coverage and public communication.

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Mozambique: IPI condemns detention of journalists covering post-election protests